[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
passed through a great crisis, and I was sent forth to aid and assist you; but the
conflict now being over, it is my privilege to retire from your midst and seek
once more my wonted occupation. You have competent and worthy leaders,
and they will direct you whenever outside directions are necessary; but let
each one strive to reach that point where all directions come from within.
Now, before I depart, I will consider the claims and merits of all applicants
for the Third Degree; let all except the council retire and await their call. At
this command all except the council and the Oriental left the room. It was the
first time Iole and I had been together for months; and as she walked along the
hall with me, arm in arm, I asked:
Iole, my virgin love, what is your aspiration?
To accomplish the end for which all souls exist, perfection and
enlightenment, she answered with a sweet but serious smile.
Then our paths still lie together, I replied, as we reached our waiting room.
And now for the first time was I allowed to meet my father and mother; both
received me with an affectionate kiss, but few words were spoken. Souls that
understand each other need no recourse to speech, their thoughts reach each
other s minds in silence. Hardly had they kissed my sisters, Iole and
Esmeralda, who was also with us, when they were summoned by the council.
They returned no more. In an hour four couples had been called, but we,
with Esmeralda and her blonde brother from Scandinavia, were still in
waiting. Taking this opportunity, I asked how she and mother had escaped
from the storm upon the gulf fourteen years before; and in reply she said:
BROTHER OF THE THIRD DEGREE 167
Albarez and another brother boarded the steamer just as it was leaving, and
when we reached the first island, at their request, we were all landed. As
though to conceal the fat, we were landed in a boat some distance from the
harbor, and no one learned of our journey Albarez pledged us to secrecy, and
in obedience to his orders we never communicated with you and father. I have
since learned that it was a test, not unlike those through which you and I have
gone. They tried his faith in his elder Brother by apparently taking his beloved
wife and daughter to their death. Yet, through all these years he doubted not,
and continued faithfully at his work. Truly, we can learn lessons from our
noble parents.
Alphonso Colono and his sister Iole, interrupted the caller, and as we
passed out I said:
Iole, be it life or death, ignominy or fame, all is for mankind.
Most nobly said, my own true brother; if need be we will tear from our
hearts the last thought of each other, and concentrate every thought for the
good of man. As she thus spoke we paused for a moment before the door of
the council chamber; then clasping hands and kissing each other as though for
final separation, we entered.
Brother and sister, said St. Germain, when we were seated opposite him at
the table, you have asked a high and more exalted privilege; a privilege few
beings on earth possess; a privilege which can be given only after many lives
of toil and labor for mankind s elevation; you ask for admission into the Third
Degree. If, heretofore, your duties have been arduous, in this degree they pass
all comprehension and your lives become a ceaseless labor. Mark well this
truth, I tell you now in time; this degree, instead of pleasure, bringeth pain, yet
a pain that bringeth joy. For here you learn the ecstasy of pain when the result
of efforts to bring happiness to others. This is the mystery of the suffering of
Christ; this the reward of the Masters of compassion with whom pain, because
brought in loving work for others, becomes the source of joy.
He spike in a deep, slow and solemn manner, and looking toward the
Oriental who sat close beside him, I observed that his black, piercing eyes
were resting searching upon us as St. Germain continued:
Brother and sister, as you know, our great work is for man; and we
therefore labor in every field that will assist in his uplifting. We have much to
be done in the world, and you can both find abundant labor in the visible field
of action; but if you enter the Third Degree you must leave the world and
labor in an altogether different manner. Now which do you chose to do?
As if moved by a common impulse we both answered with one voice: That
which will make us the most effective instruments, and enable us to do the
most good for man.
Then two fields of action lie open before you; brother, let us first hear your
choice. We see our way clear to make you Governor of Italy, in which position
you can do much good; and after your term is served we will make you
BROTHER OF THE THIRD DEGREE 168
Napoleon s successor a President of Europe. Here, indeed, will your
opportunities be vast for good. This is the first path. By the second you
become a wandering monk with healing powers, and go teaching men the
truths of life. Which do you choose?
Can you find others to fill the places of the first? I asked.
Our membership, though small, can ever meet all demands, he answered.
Then let others take these places of fame and power, but let me humbly
administer to ma nkind s wants and be a reliever of their woes. I choose path
the second.
Without reply he turned to Iole and said:
Sister, we have an opportunity for you to do much good, and have a
request to ask; this request is not of necessity your lot, and you can, if you
desire, refuse it.
Any requests you may ask are granted in advance, she answered.
Grant not before you know; what we ask may be more than you expect so
hear. Napoleon has found one worthy of his love; and, as a result, you possess
great power an d influence over him. Now, although made great by us, he is no
brother, and is selfish in his nature; but if you will be his wife your just and
unselfish commands will be his laws. Through him you can do much good,
and at the same time can purify and eleva te his nature. Will you be his wife?
Despite my utmost efforts, an agonizing pang tore through my heart; had
she conquered all her heart s temptations, overcome all trials and spent her
life for naught? Was she to be shut out of the Great Degree and linked to a man
to save him? Ah, God! I muttered. All for man!
If I can do good and be of benefit to my fellow -creatures, your request is
granted and I will be his wife. She answered clearly and firmly, but there was
a sad resignation her voice.
And will you love him?
As I love all me, she answered, but the love that comes to kindred souls it
is not within my power to make.
But all souls are kindred in the universal Soul, he answered.
Truly, but vibrations make them different. If he should make the number of
this soul the same as mine, then I would love, not because I willed it, but
because I must; and he likewise would love, because sympathetic souls must
from their very nature love.
Most truly do you speak, my sister, replied the count; if all men and
women would attune their souls to the universal Soul, or the same vibration,
all souls would love with purest love; not because they willed it, but because
they, by their nature, must.
All this time the piercing eyes of the unknown Oriental had been resting
upon s; but now for the first time he spoke, addressing St. Germain:
This sister shall not marry, not even Marleon; I have other work for her.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]